Matt Brown News

Tom Aspinall training
Matt Brown

Tom Aspinall advised to avoid Michael Chandler trap in waiting for Jon Jones

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025

As Tom Aspinall continues to wait for his next fight, one former UFC fan favorite is advising him to dodge a pitfall. Aspinall has yet to receive a title unification bout despite the fact that he’s been the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion since Nov. 2023. He’s even successfully defended the gold. While Dana White has insisted that reigning titleholder Jon Jones and Aspinall will fight, there appears to be no signs of any movement towards making the bout happen.

Valentina Shevchenko submits Julianna Pena
UFC

Retired UFC fighter thinks bubble has burst on women's MMA

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 8, 2025

One former UFC slugger thinks the honeymoon phase of women’s MMA has come and gone. There was a time when UFC CEO Dana White was opposed to adding women to the roster. Once White was introduced to Ronda Rousey, things changed. There are three female divisions in the UFC currently, and a women’s flyweight title fight is scheduled for this Saturday.

Anthony Smith UFC Kansas City
Matt Brown

Former UFC slugger isn't a fan of retirement fight announcements amid Anthony Smith's loss

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 29, 2025

The UFC recently held a retirement fight in Kansas City for Anthony Smith, and he was stopped via bloody first-round TKO. Smith mentioned in his post-fight interview that it was simply time to walk away from pro MMA competition. He admitted that he was getting older and wasn’t moving the way he used to inside the Octagon. “Lionheart” now looks forward to putting in more time as an analyst, along with other projects.

CM Punk, Mickey Gall
Matt Brown

UFC legend Matt Brown is still shocked that CM Punk fought for the promotion

Harry Kettle - April 28, 2025

UFC legend Matt Brown has given his thoughts on the fact that WWE superstar CM Punk competed for the promotion. These days, CM Punk is enjoying his second run with WWE. After ten years away from the company, he finally made his way back into the mix – and he hasn’t looked back since. He’s been on a great run of form with great match after great match, and many believe he’ll eventually be back in world title contention before too long.

Paddy Pimblett weight gain
Paddy Pimblett

Former UFC slugger thinks Paddy Pimblett's weight gains could be cause for concern

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 22, 2025

A former UFC fan favorite wonders if Paddy Pimblett is making a mistake with his post-fight weight gains. Pimblett’s stock has never been higher following his third-round TKO finish over Michael Chandler at UFC 314. “The Baddy” figures to get a top five-ranked UFC lightweight in his next outing. Some even feel a potential No. 1 contender fight could be in Pimblett’s future.

Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

UFC icon wonders if Michael Chandler was worthy of his spot following UFC 314 loss to Paddy Pimblett

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 15, 2025

One former UFC slugger wonders if Michael Chandler was ever truly UFC material. Chandler is coming off a beatdown at the hands of Paddy Pimblett in the co-main event of UFC 314. “The Baddy” battered Chandler to secure a third-round TKO finish. After the fight, UFC CEO Dana White compared Chandler to late boxing legend Arturo Gatti.

Michael Chandler UFC 309
Michael Chandler

Former UFC slugger thinks Michael Chandler's career is at risk entering UFC 314 fight with Paddy Pimblett

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 8, 2025

A former UFC fan favorite believes Michael Chandler’s fighting career could be nearing the end if he loses at UFC 314. Chandler will share the Octagon with Paddy Pimblett this Saturday night in Miami. For Pimblett, it’s a major opportunity to score a victory over his toughest test to date. Meanwhile, Chandler will be fighting for relevancy in the lightweight division.

Conor McGregor
Matt Brown

Conor McGregor planned early retirement 10 years ago, says UFC legend

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 1, 2025

One former UFC slugger believes Conor McGregor told the public of his plans to leave fighting 10 years ago. McGregor emerged as the biggest name in MMA, given his live gate and UFC pay-per-view records. The first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously certainly knows how to draw attention, but fans of his work inside the Octagon have been waiting for his next fight since 2021. At this point, many believe the “Notorious” one will never make his return to the UFC.

Robbie Lawler, Matt Brown, UFC, MMA
Robbie Lawler

UFC legend Matt Brown explains crucial lesson he learned in “favorite fight” of MMA career

BJ Penn Staff - March 17, 2025

Matt Brown is considered one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history, and has delivered some unforgettable fights over the course of his 43-fight MMA career. When it comes to his personal favorite, though, there’s no question. Brown’s favorite fight occurred back in 2014, when he stepped into the Octagon with Robbie Lawler.

Magomed Ankalaev, UFC 313, Alex Pereira, Pros react, UFC
Matt Brown

Former UFC slugger says Alex Pereira wasn't exposed by Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 11, 2025

One former UFC fan favorite doesn’t believe Alex Pereira was exposed at UFC 313. Pereira lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship after five rounds of action against Magomed Ankalaev. “Poatan” didn’t get to move forward nearly as much as he’s used to. Ankalaev forced Pereira to back up, making him the aggressor in the fight. This paid off, as the judges scored the fight for Ankalaev via unanimous decision.

Aaron Pico
Matt Brown

Former UFC star blasts PFL over Aaron Pico contract debacle: 'Let the f****** kid go'

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2025

One ex-UFC fan favorite has an axe to grind with PFL over its treatment of Aaron Pico. It’s no secret that the UFC brass are interested in Pico. During a recent press conference, Dana White told reporters that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby has been gushing over the 28-year-old star. The only problem is that Pico is under PFL contract.

Arman Tsarukyan Dana White
Dana White

Retired UFC veteran thinks Dana White should give Arman Tsarukyan title shot following UFC 311 pullout

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 23, 2025

An ex-UFC bruiser doesn’t believe Arman Tsarukyan should be punished by Dana White after his removal from the UFC 311 card. Tsarukyan was expected to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. During the weigh-ins, White revealed on social media that Tsarukyan pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. Makhachev ended up submitting replacement opponent Renato Moicano in the first round.

Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili

Former UFC star backs Merab Dvalishvili following UFC 310 fan altercation: 'Keep to your f*cking self, bro'

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2024

One former UFC star is on Merab Dvalishvili’s side when it comes to fan altercations. Dvalishvili was in attendance for UFC 310 in support of Aljamain Sterling. After Sterling dropped a unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev, Dvalishvili got physical with a fan in the crowd. The bantamweight champion has since claimed the fan in question was a plant set up by Umar Nurmagomedov and his team.

Aljamain Sterling Chris Weidman
Chris Weidman

MMA icon thinks Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman feel they've been demoted with UFC 310 prelim spot

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2024

One former UFC icon believes Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman aren’t gung-ho over being on the UFC 310 prelims. UFC 310 is coming up this Saturday. It’ll be the UFC’s year-end pay-per-view. Sterling and Weidman will be featured on the card, but not on the PPV. Instead, the “Funk Master” will fight on the ESPN2 prelims, while the “All American” will compete on the early prelims.

Conor McGregor
Matt Brown

UFC can't salvage Conor McGregor's image following sexual assault verdict, says MMA legend

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 1, 2024

Conor McGregor has found himself in hot water, and the UFC may not be able to pull him out of it. A Dublin court recently found McGregor liable for sexual assault. The accusation dates back to 2018, and while the Irishman plans to appeal the verdict, many have already taken action. McGregor has seen his image scrapped from murals, video games, and even the Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey brand, which he started.

Jon Jones
Matt Brown

UFC legend reveals crucial mistake Jon Jones made in dismissal of Tom Aspinall fight

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 12, 2024

One former UFC fan favorite has shared where he believes Jon Jones took a wrong turn in dismissing Tom Aspinall. Jones will be putting his heavyweight gold at stake against Stipe Miocic inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The legacy fight will take place this Saturday night. As “Bones” enters his first title defense, Aspinall looms large going into UFC 309.

Ilia Topuria UFC 298
Matt Brown

Ilia Topuria should be 2024 'Fighter of the Year,' says former UFC veteran Matt Brown

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 29, 2024

Former UFC veteran Matt Brown believes Ilia Topuria should be a lock for the 2024 “Fighter of the Year.” Topuria has certainly made a strong case for himself. “El Matador” knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Topuria actually became the first fighter to score a KO win over “Blessed.”

Conor McGregor
Dustin Poirier

Matt Brown thinks Dustin Poirier can take credit for ending Conor McGregor's desire to fight

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 3, 2024

Matt Brown thinks Conor McGregor’s fighting career truly ended after Dustin Poirier was finished with him. While McGregor handed Poirier a first-round TKO loss back in 2014, things played out far differently in their next two encounters. “The Diamond” scored a second-round finish over the “Notorious” one in early 2021. In their July rematch that same year, McGregor suffered a broken leg.